Audio 2:38
John Howard supports expanded Chinese investment

Nicola GageUpdated
Wed 3 Oct 2012, 9:03 AM AEST

The former prime minister John Howard delivered the inaugural Sir John Downer Ovation in Adelaide last night. Mr Howard used the lecture to support Chinese investment in Australia. A protester who heckled him at the start of the evening was ejected by security staff.

Transcript

TONY EASTLEY: Former prime minister John Howard could have been mistaken for thinking he was back in the thick of politics last night as he was heckled at a function in Adelaide.

Giving the inaugural Sir John Downer Oration, Mr Howard used the lecture to support Chinese investment in Australia.

He's also backed the Gillard Government's agreement with Washington to rotate US marines through Darwin.

A protester who began shouting abuse was escorted out by security.

Nicola Gage reports from Adelaide.

NICOLA GAGE: The former prime minister, John Howard, was greeted with loud applause last night at the Adelaide University's Bonython Hall.

But the cheerful mood didn't last long, with a man interrupting his speech only seconds in.

JOHN HOWARD: Well thank you very much Vice-Chancellor, Chancellor...

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: You're a war criminal!

JOHN HOWARD: It's good to be back at the university!

NICOLA GAGE: The man was escorted out by guards, as John Howard spoke of his strong support toward Chinese investments.

JOHN HOWARD: Just as in the past we welcomed British, American and Japanese investment. China does have a number of state-owned enterprises, so do other countries in Asia. This should not be a barrier to accepting their investments.

JOHN HOWARD: Foreign capital flows remains as important to Australia's economic future as they have been the building of the modern Australian economy.

NICOLA GAGE: His lecture focussed on relations between the United States and China.

He told the 1,000 strong crowd Australia doesn't have to choose between siding with the two nations, like some commentators have suggested.

JOHN HOWARD: China is our best customer, the United States is our strongest ally. There is no automatic conflict and any suggestion that Australia is headed towards some kind of historic moment of truth of having to choose between the two is absurd and counterproductive to the long term interests of our country.

NICOLA GAGE: But he did show where his alliances lay.

JOHN HOWARD: Australia will always be closer to the United States than China because we share common values, common institutions and a rich history. But we don't need ever to make a point of this to our Chinese friends. And in any event, they know this is the case.

TONY EASTLEY: The former prime minister John Howard ending that report by Nicola Gage.